Storage unit for electronic devices

ABSTRACT

A storage unit ( 10 ) for electronic devices that comprises an openable housing and a mounting system ( 40 ) for receiving and retaining one or more electronic devices within the housing. The mounting system ( 40 ) has a hinging assembly ( 44 ) that supports two or more brackets ( 42 ), each bracket being arranged to receive and retain one or more electronic devices and being hingedly moveable relative to any other bracket by virtue of the hinging assembly to thereby enable access to the bracket for the installation, maintenance or removal of an electronic device or devices.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No.60/813,108, filed Jun. 13, 2006.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a storage unit for electronic devices.In particular, although not exclusively, the storage unit may beutilised to house rack-mount electronic devices.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

A 19-inch rack is a standardised system for mounting electronic devicesin a stack that is 19 inches (482.6 mm) wide. Electronic equipment thatis designed to be placed in a 19-inch rack is typically described as“rack-mount” equipment.

A 19-inch rack is typically divided into vertical regions that are 1.75inches (44.45 mm) in height. Each vertical region of 1.75 inches iscommonly known as a “U” for “unit”. Typically, rack-mount equipment isdesigned with a height that is an integral number of U. For example,rack-mount computers are typically 1 U or 2 U in height. Further,rack-mount computers typically have a width of approximately 17.75inches (450.85 mm) and are available in varying standard lengths.

A 19-inch rack generally comprises two parallel metal uprights that are0.625 inches (15.875 mm) wide and which are separated by a gap of 17.75inches, giving an overall rack width of 19 inches. The uprights areprovided with repeating mounting hole patterns along their length, thepatterns generally comprising sets of three holes. The hole pattersrepeat every 1.75 inches and divide the uprights into the verticalregions of 1 U as mentioned above.

Rack-mount equipment can be mounted in the 19-inch rack by simplybolting the front panel of the electronic device or module to theuprights of the rack via bolts that lock into the hole patterns. Morecommonly square-holed racks are utilised and these allow boltlessmounting. Some 19-inch racks are also provided with pairs of rack-railsthat are mounted perpendicularly to the rack uprights for each of thevertical regions. With rack-rails, the rack-mount equipment may slide inand out on the rails and can also be bolted to the rack uprights foradditional support. The rack-rails provide additional support for theelectronic equipment and also enable electronic equipment to be slidclear of the rack for inspection or maintenance without the need forcomplete removal from the rack.

There are various 19-inch rack designs. Some simply comprise the basicframework mentioned above with additional supporting components andothers comprise more elaborate enclosed cabinets with doors for example.19-inch racks are, for example, widely utilised throughout thetelecommunication, computing, and entertainment industries to securelyhouse the electronic components of large-scale modulartelecommunication, computer and audio-visual systems for example.19-inch racks are typically free-standing in a room alone or adjacent toother like racks.

In this specification where reference has been made to patentspecifications, other external documents, or other sources ofinformation, this is generally for the purpose of providing a contextfor discussing the features of the invention. Unless specifically statedotherwise, reference to such external documents is not to be construedas an admission that such documents, or such sources of information, inany jurisdiction, are prior art, or form part of the common generalknowledge in the art.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an alternativestorage unit for rack-mount electronic equipment, or to at least toprovide the public with a useful choice.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In a first aspect, the present invention broadly consists in a storageunit for electronic devices comprising: an openable housing; and amounting system for receiving and retaining one or more electronicdevices within the housing, the mounting system having a hingingassembly that supports two or more brackets, each bracket being arrangedto receive and retain one or more electronic devices and being hingedlymoveable relative to any other bracket by virtue of the hinging assemblyto thereby enable access to the bracket for the installation,maintenance or removal of an electronic device or devices.

Preferably, the hinging assembly may comprise a chain of two or moreadjacent hinging components that are interconnected for hinged movementrelative to each other, and each hinging component, alone or incooperation with one or more adjacent hinging components, is arranged tosupport a bracket so as to allow the supported brackets to be hingedlymoveable relative to each other. More preferably, each set of twoadjacent hinging components of the chain may be pivotably coupled abouta common pivot axis for hinged movement about that pivot axis.

Preferably, the hinging assembly may be arranged to support thatbrackets in a cantilevered fashion such that each bracket is hingedlymovable into an abutting relationship with adjacent brackets oralternatively hingedly moveable away from an abutting relationship withadjacent brackets in order to enable access to the bracket.

Preferably, each bracket may be arranged to receive and retain one ormore rack-mount electronic devices of a particular U-size. In one form,each bracket is releasbly coupled to either one or multiple adjacenthinging components of the hinging assembly, the number of hingingcomponents required being equal to the integer U-size of the bracket. Inanother form, each bracket may be permanently coupled to either one ormultiple adjacent hinging components of the hinging assembly, the numberof hinging components required being equal to the integer U-size of thebracket. More preferably, brackets that require multiple adjacenthinging components for support may be arranged to couple those adjacenthinging components together to prevent them from hingedly movingrelative to each other.

Preferably, the bracket(s) may be supported by the hinging assembly in acantilever fashion.

Preferably, each bracket may be provided with an operable lockingmechanism that is arranged to cooperate with a like locking mechanism ofan adjacent bracket to lock the brackets together to prevent hingedmovement of those brackets relative to each other.

Preferably, the housing may comprise one or more openable doors foropening and closing the housing.

Preferably, the housing may comprise a base plate and two opposedopenable doors that are hingedly attached to the base plate via hingingmechanisms at either end of the base plate.

Preferably, the doors of the housing may be hingedly attached such thatthey are both movable between closed and open positions, such that whenboth doors are in the closed position the mounting system and anyinstalled electronic devices are enclosed within the housing and whenboth the doors are in an open position the mounting system and anyelectronic devices are exposed and accessible. More preferably, thedoors of the housing may have an associated locking mechanism that isoperable to lock the doors in a closed position.

Preferably, the hinging assembly of the mounting system may be fixedwithin the housing to the base plate of the housing.

Preferably, the storage unit further may comprise a temperature controlsystem for controlling the temperature within the housing. Thetemperature control system may comprise an external air conditioningsystem arranged to connect to the unit for controlling one or moreenvironmental parameters or conditions within the internal environmentof the housing when closed and/or an integrated cooling system thatcreates a forced ventilation effect through the housing with ambient airfrom the external environment. By way of example, the integrated coolingsystem may comprise one or more operable fans fixed within the housingthat are arranged to create ventilating air flows through the housingand associated vents of the housing. The external air-conditioning unitmay be connected to ports provided in the housing via a manifold andair-conditioning ducting that forces cooler or conditioned air into thehousing. The temperature control system may comprise monitoring sensorsthat are arranged to measure particular environmental parameters withinthe integrated environment and a control system that is arranged tocontrol the external air conditioning system and/or integrated coolingsystem in response to the measurements obtained by the monitoringsensors.

Preferably, the housing may comprise a user interface that is arrangedto communicate with one or more of the electronic devices retainedwithin the storage unit.

Preferably, the housing may be releasably securable to a wall-mountbracket that is arranged to be fixed to a wall or other vertical surfaceor frame.

In a second aspect, the present invention broadly consists in a storageassembly for electronic devices comprising: a mounting system forreceiving and retaining one or more electronic devices, the mountingsystem having a hinging assembly that supports two or more brackets,each bracket being arranged to receive and retain one or more electronicdevices and being hingedly moveable relative to any other bracket byvirtue of the hinging assembly to thereby enable access to the bracketfor the installation, maintenance or removal of an electronic device ordevices.

Preferably, the hinging assembly may comprise a chain of two or moreadjacent hinging components that are interconnected for hinged movementrelative to each other, and each hinging component, alone or incooperation with one or more adjacent hinging components, is arranged tosupport a bracket so as to allow the supported brackets to be hingedlymoveable relative to each other. More preferably, each set of twoadjacent hinging components of the chain may be pivotably coupled abouta common pivot axis for hinged movement about that pivot axis.

Preferably, the hinging assembly may be arranged to support thatbrackets in a cantilevered fashion such that each bracket is hingedlymovable into an abutting relationship with adjacent brackets oralternatively hingedly moveable away from an abutting relationship withadjacent brackets in order to enable access to the bracket.

Preferably, each bracket may be arranged to receive and retain one ormore rack-mount electronic devices of a particular U-size. In one form,each bracket may be releasably coupled to either one or multipleadjacent hinging components of the hinging assembly, the number ofhinging components required being equal to the integer U-size of thebracket. In another form, each bracket may be permanently coupled toeither one or multiple adjacent hinging components of the hingingassembly, the number of hinging components required being equal to theinteger U-size of the bracket. More preferably, brackets that requiremultiple adjacent hinging components for support may be arranged tocouple those adjacent hinging components together to prevent them fromhingedly moving relative to each other.

Preferably, the bracket(s) may be supported by the hinging assembly in acantilever fashion.

Preferably, each bracket may be provided with an operable lockingmechanism that is arranged to cooperate with a like locking mechanism ofan adjacent bracket to lock the brackets together to prevent hingedmovement of those brackets relative to each other.

Preferably, the storage assembly may further comprise a mounting plateto which the mounting system is fixed.

In a third aspect, the present invention broadly consists in a storageunit for electronic devices comprising: an openable housing; and amounting system for receiving and retaining one or more electronicdevices within the housing, the mounting system having a hingingassembly that is arranged to support two or more electronic devices suchthat the supported electronic devices are hingedly moveable relative toeach other by virtue of the hinging assembly to thereby enable access toeach supported electronic device.

Preferably, the hinging assembly may comprise a chain of two or moreadjacent hinging components that are interconnected for hinged movementrelative to each other, and each hinging component, alone or incooperation with one or more adjacent hinging components, is arranged tosupport an electronic device in a cantilevered fashion.

Preferably, each hinging component, alone or in cooperation with one ormore adjacent hinging components, may be arranged to receive and retainan electronic device by direct connection of the device to the hingingcomponent(s).

Preferably, each hinging component, alone or in cooperation with one ormore adjacent hinging components, may be arranged to support a bracketthat is arranged to receive and retain one or more electronic devices.More preferably, the hinging components of the hinging assembly may bearranged to support at least two brackets, each bracket being arrangedto receive and retain one or more electronic devices and the bracketsbeing hingedly moveable relative to each other by virtue of the hingingassembly.

Preferably, the electronic devices may be rack-mount electronic devices.

Other aspects of the invention are described below.

In a further aspect, the present invention may broadly consist in astorage unit for electronic devices comprising: an openable housing; anda mounting system for receiving and retaining one or more electronicdevices within the housing, the mounting system having a hingingassembly that supports at least one bracket, each bracket being arrangedto receive and retain one or more electronic devices and being moveablerelative to any other bracket and the housing by virtue of the hingingassembly to thereby provide access to the bracket for the installationor removal of an electronic device or devices.

Preferably, the hinging assembly may comprise a chain of adjacenthinging components that are interconnected for hinged movement relativeto each other. More preferably, each hinging component may be arrangedto support a bracket alone or in cooperation with one or more adjacenthinging components.

Preferably, each hinging component may be arranged to rigidly couple toan attachment part of a bracket, either along or in cooperation with oneor more adjacent hinging components, to thereby support the bracket in acantilever fashion. More preferably, the hinging components may beinterconnected to allow for pivotal movement relative to adjacenthinging components thereby allowing any supported brackets to pivotrelative to each other as desired. For example, the hinging assembly maybe moved between a compact position in which all the hinging componentsand supported brackets are aligned and a fanned-out position in whichall hinging component are pivoted relative to each other in an arc-shapecausing the supported brackets to be fanned-out relative to each otherto provide access to the brackets for installation or removal ofelectronic devices.

Preferably, each bracket may be provided with an operable lockingmechanism that is arranged to cooperate with a like locking mechanism ofan adjacent bracket to lock the brackets together so that they cannot bemoved relative to each other via the hinging assembly.

Preferably, the brackets may be arranged to receive and retainrack-mount electronic devices. The brackets may vary in capacity andthere may be single brackets that are arranged to receive and retain oneelectronic device or dual brackets that are arranged to receive andretain two electronic devices. Further, the brackets may vary in size toaccommodate electronic devices of varying height, for example of atleast 1 U and above.

Preferably, the mounting system may be modular such that hingingcomponents of the hinging assembly are arranged to releasably supportthe brackets. For example, brackets of varying capacity and size may bearranged on the hinging components of the hinging assembly as desiredfor a particular system or selection of electronic devices that is to bestored in the storage unit.

Preferably, each hinging component may be dimensioned to support, on itsown, single or dual 1 U brackets that are arranged to receive and retainone or two 1 U rack-mount electronic devices respectively. Larger singleor dual brackets, for example those arranged to receive and retain oneor two 2 U or bigger rack-mount electronic devices respectively, arearranged to be supported by a number of adjacent hinging components, thenumber being proportional to the integer U size of the bracket. Forexample, 2 U brackets are supported by 2 adjacent hinging components, 3U brackets are supported by 3 adjacent hinging components, and so on.The adjacent hinging components that support such a larger bracketeffectively operate as a single larger hinging component as theindividual adjacent hinging components that form the larger hingingcomponent cannot move relative to each other when supporting the largerbracket.

Preferably, the hinging assembly may be fixed to or within the housingvia a mounting plate that is securely attached to a part of the housing.More preferably, the mounting plate may be pivotally coupled to one ofthe hinging components of the hinging assembly that is on the end of thechain.

Preferably, the housing may comprise a base plate and two opposedopenable doors that are hingedly attached via hinging mechanisms ateither end of the base plate. More preferably, the doors are hingedlyattached such that they are both movable between closed and openpositions, such that when both doors are in the closed position themounting system and any electronic devices are enclosed within thehousing and when both the doors are in an open position the mountingsystem and any electronic devices are exposed and accessible.

Preferably, the doors may have an associated locking mechanism that isoperable to lock the doors in a closed position.

Preferably, the storage unit may comprise an air conditioning system forcontrolling one or more environmental parameters or conditions withinthe internal environment of the housing when closed.

In one form, the air conditioning system may comprise monitoring sensorsthat may be arranged to measure particular environmental parameterswithin the internal environment, operable fans that are arranged tocreate air flows through the housing and associated vents of thehousing, and a control system that is arranged to control the operablefans in accordance with the measurements obtained by the monitoringsensors. By way of example, the monitoring sensors may be arranged tosense temperature and/or humidity within the internal environment of thehousing. Additionally, or alternatively, the storage unit may beprovided with an external air conditioning system that is coupled to theinternal environment via inlet/outlet ports of the housing and that isarranged to actively control the temperature and/or humidity of theinternal environment.

Preferably, the storage unit may comprise a user interface that ismounted to the housing and that is arranged to communicate with one ormore of the electronic devices retained within the storage unit. Morepreferably, the user interface may comprise an input device or devices,such as a keyboard and mouse, and an output display. In one form, theuser interface is provided in a cavity of one of the doors of thehousing that is hidden by an openable cover.

In a further aspect, the present invention may broadly consist in astorage unit for electronic devices comprising: an openable housing; anda mounting system within the housing having a least two brackets, eachbracket being arranged to receive and retain one or more electronicdevices, the brackets being operatively connected together for movementrelative to each other between a compact arrangement in which thebrackets are brought together in a side-by-side relationship for storageof the electronic device(s) installed in the brackets and otherarrangements that provide access to each of the individual brackets forthe installation, maintenance or removal of electronic devices.

In a further aspect, the present invention may broadly consist in astorage unit for electronic devices comprising: an openable housing; anda mounting system within the housing having one or more brackets, eachbracket being arranged to receive and retain one or more electronicdevices, and a chain of hinging components that are connected togetherfor hinged movement relative to each other, each hinging component beingarranged to support a bracket either alone or with one or more adjacenthinging components.

In a further aspect, the present invention may broadly consist in astorage unit for electronic devices comprising: an openable enclosurefor the electronic devices; and a mounting system that may be arrangedto support an arrangement of modular brackets, each bracket beingarranged to receive and retain a particular size and number ofelectronic devices, the mounting system being arranged to allow relativemovement between the supported brackets so that are individuallyseparable from each other to provide access for the installation,maintenance or removal of electronic devices while also being moveabletogether into a compact arrangement for storage of the electronicdevices.

In a further aspect, the present invention may broadly consist in astorage assembly for electronic devices comprising a mounting system forreceiving and retaining one or more electronic devices, the mountingsystem having a hinging assembly that supports at least one bracket,each bracket being arranged to receive and retain one or more electronicdevices and being moveable relative to any other bracket by virtue ofthe hinging assembly to thereby provide access to the bracket for theinstallation or removal of an electronic device or devices.

The preferential features recited in respect of each aspect of theinvention may also apply to the other aspects of the invention.

The phrase “rack-mount electronic devices” as used in this specificationand claims is intended to refer to any electronic devices, components ormodules that are suitable for rack-mount installation into aconventional 19-inch rack or alternatively any other rack-size standard.

The term ‘comprising’ as used in this specification and claims means‘consisting at least in part of’, that is to say when interpretingstatements in this specification and claims which include that term, thefeatures, prefaced by that term in each statement, all need to bepresent but other features can also be present.

The invention consists in the foregoing and also envisages constructionsof which the following gives examples only.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Preferred embodiments of the invention will be described by way ofexample only and with reference to the drawings, in which:

FIG. 1A shows a front right-side perspective view of a preferredembodiment of the storage unit of the present invention;

FIG. 1B shows a rear right-side perspective view of the preferredembodiment storage unit;

FIGS. 2 and 3 show right and left-side perspective views respectively ofthe preferred embodiment storage unit with panels of the doors of thehousing in an open position;

FIG. 4 shows a right-side view of the preferred embodiment storage unit;

FIG. 5 shows a top view of the preferred embodiment storage unit;

FIG. 6 shows a top end view of the preferred embodiment storage unit;

FIG. 7 shows a bottom end view of the preferred embodiment storage unit;

FIG. 8 shows a front right-side perspective view of the preferredembodiment storage unit showing the doors of the housing in a fully openposition and the mounting system positioned in a compact arrangement anda schematic depiction of a temperature control system;

FIG. 9 shows a front right-side perspective view of the preferredembodiment storage unit of FIG. 8 showing the mounting system positionedin a fanned-out arrangement;

FIG. 10 shows a front right-side perspective view of the preferredembodiment storage unit with the doors in an open position and a numberof electronic devices securely retained by the mounting system;

FIG. 11 shows a front perspective view of the mounting system of thepreferred embodiment storage unit in its own right, empty, andpositioned in a fanned-out arrangement;

FIG. 12 shows a rear perspective view of the mounting system of thepreferred embodiment storage unit in its own right, empty, andpositioned in a compact arrangement;

FIG. 13 shows a front perspective view of the mounting system of thepreferred embodiment storage unit in its own right and positioned in acompact arrangement retaining a number of electronic devices;

FIG. 14 shows a rear perspective view of a hinging component of thehinging assembly that is supporting a 1 U single bracket;

FIG. 15 shows a rear perspective view of the pivotal couplingarrangement that connects two adjacent hinging components of the hingingassembly, each hinging component shown supporting a 1 U single bracket;

FIG. 16 shows a front perspective view of a 1 U single bracket supportedby a hinging component;

FIG. 17 shows a side elevation view of the 1 U single bracket of FIG.16;

FIG. 18 shows a front perspective view of a 2 U single bracket formed bytwo adjacent hinging components;

FIG. 19 shows a front perspective view of a 1 U dual bracket supportedby a hinging component;

FIG. 20 shows a partially exploded front right-side perspective view ofthe preferred embodiment storage unit;

FIG. 21 shows a fully exploded front right-side perspective view of thepreferred embodiment storage unit;

FIGS. 22 and 23 show front and rear perspective views respectively ofthe preferred embodiment storage unit being supported by a wall-mountbracket;

FIGS. 24 and 25 show a front and rear perspective views respectively ofthe preferred embodiment storage unit being supported by a freestandingsupport frame;

FIGS. 26 and 27 show front and rear perspective views respectively ofthe preferred embodiment storage unit being supported by a wall-mountbracket and with a manifold for air-conditioning ducting;

FIG. 28 shows a front perspective view of an alternative embodimentmounting system for the storage unit in its right, empty, and positionedin a fanned-out arrangement; and

FIG. 29 shows a rear perspective view of the alternative embodimentmounting system of FIG. 28, positioned in a compact arrangement.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The present invention relates to a storage unit for electronic devices.In particular, the storage unit is designed to securely house a numberof electronic devices that preferably form part of an overall system,although independent electronic devices may also be stored if desired.The storage unit is designed primarily to accommodate electronic devicesthat have a standard rack-mount profile, i.e. electronic equipment thatis dimensioned and arranged for mounting in a conventional 19-inch rack.It will be appreciated that the unit could be modified to suit otherelectronic device size standards also.

A preferred embodiment of the storage unit 10 will now be described withreference to FIGS. 1A to 27. At a broad level, the storage unit 10comprises an openable housing that encloses a mounting system that iscapable of securely receiving, retaining and supporting a number ofrack-mount electronic devices. First, the housing of the storage unit 10will be described with reference to FIGS. 1A-8. Secondly, the internalmounting system will be described with references to FIGS. 8-21. Andthirdly, various mounting and support assemblies for the storage unit 10will be described with reference to FIGS. 22-25. An air-conditioningmanifold will be described with reference to FIGS. 26 and 27.

Referring to FIGS. 1A and 1B, the housing of the preferred embodimentstorage unit 10 comprises a base plate 11, an upper door 12 and a lowerdoor 13, the doors 12, 13 being arranged for movement between open andclosed positions relative to the base plate 11. In the preferredembodiment, the upper and lower doors 12, 13 of the housing arepivotally or hingedly coupled at or toward opposed ends of the baseplate 11 and are operable to swing or pivot outwardly away from eachother and the base plate 11 into an open position or inwardly towardeach other and the base plate into a closed position.

Referring to FIGS. 1A and 3, the doors 12, 13 each comprises a frontsurface 12 a, 13 a that is attached to or integrally formed with left 12b, 13 b and right 12 c, 13 c side surfaces respectively. Therefore, whenthe doors 12, 13 are in a closed position against the base plate 11, anenclosed housing is formed. In the preferred embodiment, the frontsurfaces 12 a, 13 a of the doors 12, 13 are flat and parallel with thebase plate 11 toward the central part of the housing and then bend orcurve down toward the base plate at the top 14 and bottom 15 edges. Theside panels or surfaces 12 b, 12 c, 13 b, 13 c of the doors 12, 13 aresubstantially flat and are shaped to compliment the curve of the frontsurfaces or panels 12 a, 13 a.

In the preferred embodiment, the upper door 12 is pivotally coupledtoward the top edge 14 of the base plate 11 via an upper hingingmechanism 41 or hinge couplings, and is operable to pivot back and forthin either direction indicated by arrows A or B about an axis that isgenerally indicated by the line CC. Similarly, the lower door 13 of thehousing is pivotally coupled toward the bottom edge 15 of the base plate11 via a hinging mechanism 43 or hinge couplings, and is operable toswing or pivot in either direction indicated by arrows D or E about anaxis that is generally indicated by line FF. In essence, the upper andlower doors 12, 13 form a clam-shell arrangement with the base plate 11.

Each of the doors 12, 13 is preferably also operatively coupled to thebase plate 11 by a pair of hydraulic openers, such as air rams. Forexample, FIGS. 1A and 1B show the right-side of the housing and, inparticular, hydraulic openers 17 and 18 that operatively couple theupper and lower doors 12, 13 respectively to a central bracket 16attached to or integrally formed with the base plate 11. FIG. 3 showsthe left-side of the housing that has a similar arrangement withhydraulic openers 19 and 20 operatively coupling the upper and lowerdoors 12, 13 respectively to another central bracket 21 of the baseplate 11. In the preferred embodiment, the hydraulic openers 17, 18, 19,20 are arranged to urge the upper and lower doors 12, 13 toward an openposition. In particular, they are arranged to apply force to the upperand lower doors 12, 13 to swing or pivot them in directions A and Erespectively such that the doors are each biased toward an openposition.

FIGS. 1A and 1B shows both doors 12, 13 in a closed position where themounting system and any installed electronic devices are enclosed withinthe housing. FIG. 8 shows both doors 12, 13 in a fully open positionwhere the mounting system exposed and accessible to install, remove ormaintain electronic devices. In the preferred embodiment, the doors 12,13 are retained in the closed position against the force of thehydraulic openers 17, 18, 19, 20 by an operable locking mechanism. Byway of example, the locking mechanism comprises two operable lockingdevices 22, 23 that are provided on the central brackets 16, 21 of thebase plate 11 and that are arranged to cooperate with complementarylocking apertures 24, 25 provided on opposite sides of the upper door 12to lock the upper door 12 in a closed position. In particular, thelocking devices 22, 23 comprise moveable locking bolts that engage withlocking apertures 24, 25 of the upper door 12. The locking bolts arepreferably automatically biased to engage with the locking apertures 24,25 when the upper door 12 is bought into the closed position by forceapplied by a user against the hydraulic openers 17, 19. The lockingbolts of the locking devices 22, 23 may be disengaged from the lockingapertures 24, 25 to unlock and release the upper door 12 via an operablebutton, knob, key or the like.

In the preferred embodiment, the lower door 13 does not have an operablelocking mechanism for locking it in a closed position. Rather, the lowerdoor 13 is held in a closed position via engagement with the upper door12 when locked in a closed position. Referring to FIG. 8, an outer edge45 of the upper door 12 is arranged to engage with, abut or overlap aflange 26 projecting from the lower door 13 when both doors are in theclosed position thereby holding the lower door 13 in place. Inoperation, this requires that the lower door 13 is forced into a closedposition slightly before the upper door 12 when closing the housing toensure the flange 26 of the lower door 13 is beneath the outer edge 45of the upper door 12 ready for engagement.

It will be appreciated that any other locking or latching mechanismscould be utilised to secure the doors of the housing in a closedposition. In alternative arrangements, locking or latching mechanisms,whether automatically or manually operable, may be provided on eitherdoor or both, and on one or both sides of each door.

In operation, the doors 12, 13 of the housing may be opened by a user byunlocking the locking devices 22, 23, for example with a knob, button,key or the like. Once the locking devices 22, 23 are unlocked, thehydraulic openers 17, 18, 19, 20 act to force both doors 12, 13 to swingoutwardly relative to each other and the base plate 11 in directions Aand E respectively into an open position as shown in FIG. 8. To closethe housing, the a user is able to apply force to each of the doors 12,13 to cause them to swing back inwardly toward each and the base plate11 in directions B and D respectively into the closed position shown inFIGS. 1A and 1B. As mentioned above, the user must bring the lower door13 into the closed position abutting the base plate 11 prior to theupper door 12. This is because the preferred embodiment upper door 12holds the lower door 13 in place via the overlapping relationship of theedge 45 of the upper door 12 with the flange 26 of the lower door 13. Asmentioned, the upper door 12 is held in a closed position abutting thebase plate via automatic or manual operation of the locking devices 22,23.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the storage unit 10 may comprise a userinterface that is mounted to the housing and that is arranged tocommunicate with one or more of the electronic devices mounted in thestorage unit. It will be appreciated that the user interface maycomprise a combination of various types of input and output devices, forexample a keyboard, mouse, display and the like. For larger systems orcollections of electronic device, more than one storage unit may beteamed or utilised together to store the components. It will beappreciated that in this situation only one storage unit need have auser interface, such as an LCD, keyboard and tape drive.

In the preferred embodiment, the user interface is mounted in the frontsurface 12 a of the upper door 12 of the housing and comprises a display27 and a keyboard 28. The display 27, such as an LCD or the like, ismounted within a cavity 29 provided in the front face or surface 12 a ofthe upper door 12 of the housing. The keyboard 28 is mounted to theinner surface of an openable panel or cover 30 associated with thecavity 29. The cover 30 is preferably pivotally coupled to the cavity 29of the upper door 12 via a pair of hinging assemblies or hinges 31 thatenable the cover to be moved between a closed position that hides theuser interface as shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B and an open position thatexposes the user interface as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3.

In the preferred embodiment, a pair of air rams 31 a extend between thecavity 29 and the cover 30. The air rams 31 a are arranged or configuredto urge or bias the cover 30 toward the open position. The cover 30 isprovided with an operable locking mechanism 30 a toward the centre ofthe top edge of the cover. When the panel 30 is in the closed position,the locking mechanism 30 a is operable to lock the cover in place vialocking engagement with a complimentary locking aperture or catch 29 aprovided in the cavity 29.

In operation, the cover 30 may be closed by a user via the applicationof force to fold the cover up into the cavity 29 to hide and protect theuser interface with the hinging assemblies 31 being arranged to secureor lock the cover 30 in place. To open the cover, the locking mechanism30 a is operated to unlock or release the cover. The air rams 31 a willthen automatically lower or pivot the cover 30 into the open position.

It will be appreciated that the user interface may be arranged tocommunicate with one or more of the electronic devices stored within thehousing or other external devices wirelessly or via cables as desired.In particular, the cavity 29 may be provided with cable ports into thehousing or the like.

It will be appreciated that the cover 30 may be pivotally coupled forengagement with cavity 29 via other hinge assemblies or pivotal couplingarrangements in alternative embodiments. Further, other hinging assemblymay be configured to be self-locking to enable the cover to be apush-panel that opens in response to the application of force. Inparticular, it would be appreciated that a hinging assembly could bearranged to unlock or release the cover to fold down away from thecavity 29 to an open position in response to the application of a smallamount of force to the upper end of the cover. In addition, it will beappreciated that air rams 31 a are not necessarily essential and thatother mechanisms such as wire stays could be utilised to prevent thecover 30 from over extending when opened.

The lower door 13 of the housing may also be provided with a cavity 32and an associated openable cover 33. In the preferred embodiment, cover33 may be pivotally coupled to move and lock into position in the samemanner as that described in respect of the cover 30 of the upper door12. In particular, cover 33 is provided with hinging assemblies orhinges 47 that pivotally couple the cover 33 into the cavity 32. Airrams 47 a, a locking mechanism 33 a, and a complementary lockingaperture 32 a or catch are also provided. In the preferred form, anelectronic device, such as a tape drive 34 or the like, may be securelymounted within the cavity 32 of the lower door 13. Access to the tapedrive 34 is provided when the cover 33 is open, and the tape drive 34 ishidden away within the cavity 32 when the cover is closed. It will beappreciated that the tape drive 34 or other electronic device mountedwithin the lower door 13 may communicate with one or more of theelectronic devices stored within the housing or other external deviceswirelessly or via cables as desired.

The preferred embodiment storage unit is provided with windows on eachside of the upper and lower doors 12, 13, although it will beappreciated that this is not essential. Referring to FIG. 4, the windows49, 51 on the right-side of the upper and lower doors 12, 13 of thehousing are shown. Identical windows 53, 55 on the left-side of thehousing can be seen in FIG. 3. The windows are preferably completelytransparent or alternatively may be slightly tinted and may be made fromglass, perspex, or any other suitable transparent material.

In the preferred embodiment, finger-grips 101 are provided on each sideof the doors 12, 13 to assist the user to open and close the doors. Inparticular, the finger-grips 101 are in the form of elongate recessesprovided in the side surfaces of the doors 12 and 13 towards the centreof the housing.

In the preferred embodiment, the storage unit 10 is provided with atemperature control system 150 for controlling the temperature withinthe housing or which is arranged to at least cool the internalenvironment within the housing as shown in FIG. 8. The temperaturecontrol system may comprise an external air conditioning system 151 thatis arranged to connect to the unit to provide a flow of conditioned airfor controlling one or more environmental parameters or conditions, suchas temperature, humidity and the like, within the internal environmentof the housing when closed and/or an integrated cooling system 152within the housing that creates forced ventilation through the housingwith ambient air from the external environment.

It will be appreciated that a system of electronic devices mounted in aconfined space tends to generate a significant amount of heat that needsto be dissipated or controlled for the protection of the system. Thetemperature control system comprises a control system that obtainsmeasurements of particular internal environment parameters frommonitoring sensors 153 located within the housing. For example,temperature and humidity sensors are mounted within the housing andcommunicate measured temperature and humidity levels or data to thecontrol system. In response to the measured temperature and/or humidityand any other parameters, the control system is arranged to operate theexternal air conditioning system 151 and/or integrated cooling system152 to control and/or reduce the temperature. It will be appreciatedthat the control system of the air conditioning system may bepre-programmed to automatically maintain or provide particularconditions within the internal environment of the housing oralternatively the control system may be dynamically altered by a uservia the user interface that may be arranged to interact with the controlsystem of the air conditioning system. The user interface may also bearranged to provide readings and data relating to the real-timeconditions within the housing as sensed by the monitoring sensors andmay be arranged to allow direct manual control of the fans if desired.

Referring to FIG. 8, in the preferred embodiment the integrated coolingsystem 152 comprises an arrangement of one or more operable fans tocreate air flows through the housing to control the conditions of theinternal environment for the protection of the electronic devicessituated within it. In particular, the operable fans have associatedvents in the housing to the external environment and create air flowsthrough the housing with ambient air from the external environment. Asshown, the preferred embodiment integrated cooling system comprises anupper array of fans 35 mounted in the upper door 12 of the housing and alower array of fans 36 mounted in the lower door 13 of the housing. Withthis arrangement, the upper array of fans 35 is arranged to blow airdownward through the internal environment of the housing while the lowerarray of fans 36 is arranged to suck air from the housing. To ensure adownward draft or current of fresh air flow is provided, an upper inletvent 37 associated with the upper array of fans 35 is provided in theupper door 12 of the housing as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 to allow freshair from the external environment to enter the housing. Similarly, alower outlet vent 38 is provided in the lower door 13 of the housing tocooperate with the lower array of fans 36 as shown in FIGS. 5 and 7.

In the preferred embodiment, the vents 37, 38 in the doors 12, 13 areprovided in the form of an array of small apertures or perforationsformed in the front surfaces of the doors. It will be appreciated thatthe vents may alternatively be in the form of larger elongated slots orapertures with or without grill or mesh inserts. Further, the vents 37,38 may be provided with air flow guide fins to direct the flow of airinto or out of the housing in a desired direction. The unit may also beprovided with removable dust filters between the fans and the vents tocollect dust and other debris if desired.

The mounting system of the storage unit is arranged to receive andretain rack-mount electronic devices such that their heat dissipatingends are located toward the bottom end of the housing. Therefore, thepreferred embodiment integrated cooling arrangement described abovecreates a downward flow of air from the inlet vent 37 through thehousing and around the electronic devices retained by the mountingsystem to the outlet vent 38 that effectively transfers heat generatedby the electronic devices out of the housing thereby operating as acooling system. It will be appreciated that the speed of the operablefans 35, 36 may be controlled, either manually by the user interface orautomatically by the control system, to alter the volume and intensityof the air flow through the housing to control the temperature of theinternal environment and electronic devices as desired.

When the storage unit is located in a particularly harsh externalenvironment, for example which is extremely hot and humid, asupplementary external air conditioning system may be coupled to thestorage unit to actively control the conditions, such as temperature andhumidity, within the housing. In the preferred embodiment, upper 58 aand lower 58 b slots or ports are provided in the base plate 11 of thehousing to which a manifold may be fitted at the rear of the storageunit for attaching air-conditioning ducting for a supplementary externalair conditioning system or unit as shown in FIGS. 1B and 8. An exampleof a manifold is shown in FIGS. 26 and 27 and this will be explained inmore detail later with respect to these figures. For example, theexternal air conditioning unit may be arranged to introduce cooled airof a particular temperature and level of humidity into the internalenvironment. It will be appreciated that the external air conditioningunit may operate alongside the integrated cooling system described aboveor that it may operate completely independently if desired. Whenoperating independently, the operable fans 35, 36 of the integratedcooling system may be disabled and the inlet and outlet vents 37, 38 maybe fully or partially closed with covers to prevent harsh air from theexternal environment entering the housing.

It will be appreciated that the temperature control system may not benecessary for the storage unit depending on the electronic devicesinstalled and operating in the unit. Further, different sized storageunits will have different temperature control requirements. Some storageunits may be provided with an integrated cooling system only, whileothers may also or alternatively connect to an external air conditioningsystem. It will also be appreciated that monitoring sensors arranged tosense and monitor the temperature and other parameters within thehousing may or may not be required and the temperature control systemcan be customised for the specific requirements of different storageunits if desired.

The preferred embodiment storage unit 10 may be mounted to a wall or anyother vertical framework or surface, preferably in the verticalorientation shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B but alternatively it may be mountedin a horizontal or any other orientation as desired. When installing thestorage unit 10, the base plate 11 may be fixed directly to the wall orthe like via screw, nails, bolts, or any other fastening components.Alternatively, a separate mounting plate may be provided that may firstbe fixed to the wall or the like and which is arranged to securelyreceive and support the storage unit 10 via a releasable locking,hooking, or coupling arrangement. For example, the base plate 11 of thestorage unit 10 may be arranged to be releasably engageable with themounting plate. It will be appreciated that the storage unit couldalternatively by placed on the floor, in the bottom of a cupboard, in acabinet, under a desk or in any other suitable area within a room oroffice or even outside if desired as the storage unit can bewater-proofed. Various mounting arrangements and assemblies for thestorage unit will be explained in more detail later with reference toFIGS. 22-25.

As mentioned, the preferred embodiment of the storage unit 10 isarranged to securely store and house a number of rack-mount electronicdevices that may, for example, form part of a system, such as a computerserver system or any other system that has a number of interconnected orinteracting individual electronic components or modules. Typically,although not necessarily, some of the electronic devices retained withinthe storage unit 10 may need to be connected to other external devicesvia cables, wires and the like. For this purpose, a cable aperture 57 isprovided toward the lower end of the base plate 11 of the housingthrough which cables or wiring looms may pass through from theelectronic devices within the housing to external devices or the like.

A power source is required to drive the user interface and internal airconditioning system of the storage unit 10. Power may be provided to theuser interface and internal conditioning system via a power cable orcables that pass through the cable aperture 57 of the base plate 11 ofthe housing or the storage unit may be provided with an integrated powercord that can be plugged into a power socket or the like. Alternatively,or additionally, the storage unit may be provided with an on-boardrechargeable power supply for emergencies or when an external powersource is not accessible.

It will be appreciated that the clam-shell housing of the preferredembodiment of the storage unit 10 is only one particular preferreddesign. Various other housing arrangements could alternatively be used.Any openable housing that can substantially enclose and protect themounting system and the electronic devices it supports would besuitable. By way of example only, in an alternative form, the housingmay comprise a base plate and a single enclosing door that pivotsrelative to the base plate to open and close the housing. In anotheralternative form, the housing may comprise a bin, box or otherreceptacle-type component that is enclosed by one or more doors orcovers. In the preferred embodiment, the backing plate 11 and opposedopenable doors 12, 13 of the housing are formed from plastic, butalternatively it will be appreciated that aluminum, metal or any othersuitable material or combination of different materials may be utilisedto construct the housing. Further, it will be appreciated that the doors12, 13 may be formed as integral components or alternatively frommultiple attached or interconnected components.

Referring to FIGS. 8-21, an example of the mounting system of thepreferred embodiment storage unit 10 will now be described. The storageunit has a 6 U capacity in that it can accommodate one or morerack-mount electronic devices that together have a collective stackedheight of 6 U or less. It will be appreciated that the mounting systemand housing may be re-sized and altered to suit different capacities ifdesired, whether above or below 6 U.

At a broad level, the mounting system is arranged to receive and retainone or more electronic devices. In the preferred embodiment, themounting system has a hinging assembly that is arranged to support atleast one bracket, each bracket being arranged to receive and retain oneor more electronic devices. The hinging assembly is arranged to allowthe supported brackets to be moved relative to each other and thehousing to provide individual access to each bracket for theinstallation, removal or maintenance of electronic devices. In someembodiments, part or all of the hinging assembly may also be arranged asa bracket or brackets to support one or more electronic devices directlywithout separate bracket components. With the direct supportarrangement, the hinging assembly still provides the same effect in thatthe supported electronic devices may be moved relative to each other viathe hinging assembly to provide access to each device as required.Therefore, the hinging assembly may be arranged to support, preferablyin a cantilever fashion, one or more electronic devices, either directlyor alternatively indirectly by supporting brackets that receive andretain the devices. It will be appreciated that part of the hingingassembly may provide for direct support while the remainder may beprovided with brackets.

Referring to FIG. 8, the preferred embodiment mounting system 40comprises an articulated hinging assembly 44 that is arranged to supporta number of brackets 42. The brackets 42 and hinging assembly 44 will bedescribed in more detail later. In general, each bracket 42 is arrangedto securely receive and retain one or more rack-mount electronicdevices. The hinging assembly 44 enables each bracket 42 to beindividually accessible for the installation, removal or maintenance ofelectronic devices. In particular, the hinging assembly 44 allows thebrackets 42 to be moved relative to each other and the housing. By wayof example, FIG. 8 shows the brackets 42 folded-up together in a compactposition in a side-by-side aligned arrangement ready for the housing tobe closed. FIG. 9 shows the brackets 42 in a fanned-out positionenabling all individual brackets to be accessed for the installation,removal or maintenance of electronic devices. In essence, the mountingsystem 40 operates like a book with the hinging assembly 44 representingthe spine of the book and each bracket representing a page of the book.Therefore, the brackets may be brought together in closed compactarrangement like that shown in FIG. 8, opened up in a fanned-outarrangement like that shown in FIG. 9, or alternatively the brackets maybe separated with respect to each other in a number of differentarrangements. For example, some brackets may be separated from adjacentbrackets, while other brackets in the mounting system may remain in asubstantially abutting relationship. In particular, all brackets do notnecessarily have to be fanned-out as shown in FIG. 9 to access oneparticular selected bracket. The bracket to be accessed may beindividually accessed like opening a book to a particular page.

In the preferred embodiment, the mounting system 40 is modular in thatit may be configured or customised by a user to accommodate for aparticular system or collection of rack-mount electronic devices ofvarious sizes. In particular, the hinging assembly 44 is arranged toreleasably support modular brackets 42 that have different capacitiesand sizes. In terms of capacities, the modular brackets may, forexample, be single brackets that are arranged to receive and retain oneelectronic device or dual brackets that are arranged to receive andretain two electronic devices, one toward the top of the bracket and theother toward the bottom of the bracket. In terms of size, the bracketsmay be configured to accommodate rack-mount electronic devices of anyparticular height, for example 1 U or any higher integral of U, theupper limit depending on the capacity of the storage unit.

By way of example, the preferred embodiment storage unit 10 isconfigured with four modular brackets 42 and one hybrid bracket 42 athat provides for direction support of an electronic device by thehinging assembly but which also cooperates with the base plate 11 andpartial bracket components fixed to the base plate. Referring to FIG.10, the first bracket is a 1 U dual bracket that is arranged to securelyreceive and retain two rack-mount electronic devices 50 that are halflength pieces of equipment of height 1 U. For example, the devices 50may be networking equipment such as communications routers and/or LANswitches. The next three brackets are 1 U single brackets that are eacharranged to securely receive and retain one electronic device 52 ofheight 1 U, for example a full length piece of equipment such as aserver or an Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS). The fifth and lasthybrid bracket 42 a is a 2 U single bracket that is arranged to receiveand retain a rack-mount electronic device 54 of height 2 U, for examplea full length piece of equipment such as a server or UPS. It will beappreciated that a 2 U single bracket may be provided anywhere on thehinging assembly 44 and that there may be more than one 2 U singlebracket. Typically, for a computer networking system, the UPS (1 U or 2U) is preferably mounted at the back of the storage unit 10 adjacent thebase plate 11 due to its greater weight relative to the other electronicdevices of the system. As mentioned, the capacity of the preferredembodiment storage unit 10 is 6 U. In particular, the mounting systemmay accommodate any combination of one or more brackets, of varyingcapacity (single or dual) and sizes (in Us), provided the totalcollective number of Us of the brackets is less than or equal to 6 ifthe unit is configured for 6 U capacity. As mentioned, the capacity maybe altered or customised as desired.

As mentioned, the mounting system may be customised by the user to suita particular electronic system or for storing a particular set ofrack-mount components. There are a larger number of combinations ofdifferent bracket arrangements. For example, the preferred embodimentstorage unit 10 could accommodate, one single 6 U bracket, three 2 Ubrackets, two 2 U brackets and two 1 U brackets, six 1 U brackets, orany other combination of brackets between 1 U and 6 U in size inwhatever order from front to back relative to the housing. Further thecapacity of each bracket may be varied between single and dual typebrackets. It will also be appreciated that the 6 U capacity need notnecessarily be fully occupied by brackets and that brackets may beswapped from one position to the other on the hinging assembly of themounting system.

It will be appreciated that the storage unit may alternatively come witha non-modular mounting system. In particular, the storage unit may beprovided with a pre-arranged set or range of brackets that arepermanently attached to the hinging assembly. By way of example only,the set may comprise a combination of single and dual brackets ofvarying sizes that may suit particular electronic systems that are knownto typically have a particular number of components of a particularsize. Alternatively, the mounting system may be provided with nobrackets, such that electronic devices need to be directly connected orsecured to the hinging assembly.

The modular mounting system 40 of the preferred embodiment storage unit10 will now be described in more detail with reference to FIGS. 11-19.The hinging assembly 44 preferably comprises a chain of six adjacenthinging components 60 that are interconnected for hinged movementrelative to each other. The chain of hinging components 60 is preferablyfixed to or within the housing, for example to the base plate 11, via arear mounting plate 99 that is pivotally coupled to one of the hingingcomponents that is on the end of the chain. In the preferred embodiment,the hinging components 60 are elongate with a width that isapproximately equal to 1 U (1.75 inches or 44.45 mm) and the number ofhinging components effectively dictates the overall capacity of thestorage unit. For example, in the preferred embodiment storage unitthere are six hinging components that together provide 6 U capacity.Altering the capacity of the unit can be achieved by adding or removinghinging components from the chain.

Referring to FIGS. 14 and 15, each of the hinging components 60 isprovided with elongate loops 61, 63 on either side that cooperate withcomplementary elongate loops of adjacent hinging components to allow forrotation or pivotal movement about the vertical pivot axis provided by acommon interlocking pivot rod 65 or the like. In particular, each of thehinging components 60 comprise upper and lower elongate loops 61 orcylinders on one side and a central elongate loop 63 or cylinder on theother side. FIG. 15 shows, by way of example, two hinging components 60pivotally coupled together for relative pivotal movement by theircomplementary elongate loops 61, 63 that are operatively connected viacommon pivot rod 65 that forms a pivot axis for the movement. Inparticular, the upper and lower elongate loops 61 of the front hingingcomponent are aligned with the central elongate loop 63 of the rearhinging component such that the hinging components can be operativelyconnected via a pivot rod 65 that extends through the aligned elongateloops 61, 63. The hinging components 60 are shown, by way of example,supporting 1 U single brackets 64.

In the preferred embodiment, each of the hinging components 60 isarranged to support, in a cantilever fashion, a modular bracket eitheralone or in combination or cooperation with one or more adjacent hingingcomponents. In particular, each hinging component 60 is capable ofreleasbly supporting a 1 U bracket, whether single or dual. For largerbrackets above 1 U in size, two or more adjacent hinging components arerequired. In particular, larger brackets are arranged to be supported bya number of adjacent hinging components, the number being equal to theinteger U size of the bracket. For example, 2 U brackets are supportedby two adjacent hinging components, 3 U brackets are supported by threeadjacent hinging components, and so on. The adjacent hinging componentsthat support such larger brackets effectively operate as or collectivelyform a single larger hinging component as each of the individualadjacent hinging components that form the larger hinging componentcannot move relative to each other when supporting the larger bracket.As mentioned, the hinging components, alone or in cooperation with oneor more adjacent hinging components, can also be arranged to directlysupport, in a cantilever fashion, the electronic devices of differentsizes without brackets if desired.

In the preferred embodiment, the hinging components 60 of the hingingassembly 44 are arranged to rigidly, but releasbly, couple to anattachment part of a bracket, either alone or in combination with one ormore adjacent hinging components. In particular, the hinging componentssupport the bracket or brackets in a cantilever fashion. The supportedbrackets may pivot relative to each other, like the pages of a book asdescribed above, by virtue of the hinged or pivotal interconnectionbetween adjacent hinging components.

The hinging components 60 of the hinging assembly 44 are substantiallyidentical and are capable of supporting various different arrangementsof modular brackets of varying size and capacity as mentioned. It willbe appreciated that a user may interchange or mix and match the bracketson the hinging assembly as desired to customise the storage unit fortheir particular system or collection of electronic devices. Asmentioned above with reference to FIG. 10, the storage unit 10 is shownwith one particular arrangement of five brackets (four modular 42 andone hybrid 42 a) by way of example only. The mounting system 40 will bedescribed further by way of example with reference to that arrangementand FIGS. 11-19. As mentioned, the first modular bracket 62 is a 1 Udual bracket, the next three modular brackets 64 are 1 U singlebrackets, and the fifth hybrid bracket 66 is a 2 U single bracket.

Referring to FIGS. 16 and 17, the 1 U single brackets 64 preferablycomprise a backing plate 70 that is provided with a rear end guide 72and a front end guide 74. The rear end guide 72 is arranged to securelyengage with one of the hinging components 60 of the hinging assembly.For example, the rear end guide 72 of the 1 U single brackets 64 arearranged to slide down into engagement with a complementary part of asingle hinging component 60 thereby leaving the bracket supported by thehinging component in a cantilever fashion. In this respect, the rear endguide 72 may perform the function of a sleeve around the hingingcomponent 60.

The front end guide 74 is preferably provided with a manually operablelocking mechanism 76 that is operable to lock the bracket to an adjacentbracket. In the preferred embodiment, the locking mechanism 76 comprisesa spring-loaded locking pin 78 that is engageable with a lockingaperture 80 of the locking mechanism of an adjacent bracket. Onceadjacent brackets are locked together via their locking mechanisms, theycannot be moved relative to each other via the hinging assembly untilthe appropriate locking mechanism is unlocked via manual operation ofthe locking-pin 78. Each front end guide 74 is also preferably providedwith a guide pin 74 a protruding outwardly for engagement into acomplementary guide slot 74 b of an adjacent bracket to assist thealignment and coupling of the brackets together.

The backing plates 70 of the 1 U single brackets 64 preferably comprisea series of cable management apertures 70 a through which cable ties maybe secured in order to fasten and guide cables connected into themounted electronic devices of that bracket as desired. Referring toFIGS. 8 and 20, a cable management bar 103 having a series of aperturesalong its length is also provided behind the hinging assembly 44 toenable the cables to be guided and secured neatly within the unit asdesired.

The rear end guide 72 and front end guide 76 of the 1 U single brackets64 are arranged to guide a rack-mount electronic device into placewithin the bracket. The distance between the rear and front guides 72,74 is approximately 17.75 inches (450.85 mm) to accommodate the standard19-inch rack-mount electronic components. The overall length of the 1 Usingle brackets 64 is approximately 465 mm and the depth isapproximately 1 U. In operation, a user installs a rack-mount electronicdevice into the bracket by placing the device against the backing plate70 of the bracket and in between the guides 72, 74 or alternativelysliding the device down against the backing plate 70 between the guides72, 74 until it comes to rest into in a securely retained positionwithin the bracket where tabs on the front panel of the device can befixed with bolts or other fastening components to a pattern of mountingapertures or threaded holes provided on the top ends 86 of the guides72, 74. To remove the electronic device from the bracket requires areversal of the above process. It will be appreciated that the guidescould alternatively be provided with securing rails or flanges thatenable the electronic device to slide into a secure engagement with thebracket without the need for fastening components such as bolts or thelike. It will be appreciated that various other bracket designs could beutilised to receive and securely retain a rack-mount electronic devicein alternative forms of the mounting system. For example, the bracketscould be arranged to receive and retain electronic devices via snap-fitor friction-fit type arrangements.

Referring to FIG. 18, the 2 U single hybrid bracket 66 of the preferredembodiment storage unit is shown. The hybrid bracket 66 is formedbetween two adjacent hinging components 60 a, 60 b, the base plate 11 ofthe housing and two adjacent front end guides 90 a, 90 b that are fixedto the base plate 11. Each front end guide 90 a, 90 b is substantiallyidentical to the front end guide 74 described in respect of the 1 Usingle bracket of FIGS. 16 and 17. The front end guides 90 a and 90 bare locked together via the same locking mechanism 76 as described inrespect of the front end guide 74 of the 1 U single bracket. In thepreferred embodiment, the front end guide 90 a is arranged to lock viaits locking mechanism with a front mounting plate 11 a fixed to the baseplate 11. In particular, the front mounting plate 11 a is provided witha locking aperture into which the locking mechanism may engage. In thepreferred embodiment, the rear mounting plate is 99 is fixed to the baseplate 11 and is provided with a central elongate cylinder for engagingwith the rear upper and lower elongate loops 61 of the hinging component60 a via a locking pin to enable pivotal movement of the 2 U electronicdevice installed in the hybrid bracket. In operation, a user can installa 2 U rack-mount electronic device into the hybrid bracket 66 by slidingthe device down in between the two adjacent hinging components 60 a, 60b and the front end guides 90 a, 90 b until the tabs on the front panelof device come to rest on top of the hinging components 60 a, 60 b andfront end guides 90 a, 90 b. At this point, the 2 U device can be fixedin place with bolts or other fastening components to a pattern ofmounting apertures or threaded holes provided on the top ends of thehinging components 60 a, 60 b and front end guides 90 a, 90 b. In thisarrangement, the hinging components 60 a, 60 b are directly supportingthe 2 U device with the assistance of the hybrid bracket configurationformed by the base plate 11 and the modular front end guides 90 a, 90 b.

Referring to FIG. 19, the dual 1 U brackets 62 are also substantiallysimilar to that of the 1 U single brackets 64, except they are providedwith a larger backing plate 94 and additional lower front 96 and rear 97guides so that they can securely receive and retain two half lengthrack-mount electronic devices, one above the other.

FIG. 11 shows the mounting system 40 in a fanned-out arrangement inwhich all brackets are separated from or pivoted relative to each other.In this fanned-out arrangement, the chain of hinging components 60 issubstantially arc-shaped. Referring to FIGS. 12 and 13, the mountingsystem 40 is shown in a compact folded-up and closed arrangement inwhich all the brackets are brought together. In this compactarrangement, the hinging components 60 of the hinging assembly 44 aresubstantially aligned in a straight line. FIG. 12 shows an emptymounting system 40 without any installed electronic devices and FIG. 13shows the mounting system 40 with a number of installed electronicdevices 50, 52, 54.

As mentioned, the hinging components 60 of the hinging assembly 44 maydirectly support rack-mount electronic devices in a canter leveredmanner or alternatively may indirectly support the electronic devices bysupport brackets that are arranged to receive and retain rack-mountelectronic devices. In particular, each hinging component 60 may supporta 1 U rack-mount device directly by the electronic device being screweddirectly into the hinging component or alternatively the hingingcomponent may indirectly support the 1 U rack-mount device by supportinga 1 U bracket that is arranged to receive and retain the 1 U rack-mountdevice. As mentioned, two or more adjacent hinging components maycooperate together to directly or indirectly support larger rack-mountelectronic devices having an integer size of 2 U or above. Inparticular, the number of hinging components required is equal to theinteger height of the device to be supported. Therefore, in alternativeembodiments separate brackets, like those described in respect of FIGS.16, 17 and 19 do not necessarily have to be used. However, the use ofsuch modular brackets provides increased support and the ability oflocking the supported components together in a compact arrangement.

In operation, the doors of the housing may be opened by a user toprovide access to the mounting system 40 as previously described. Toobtain access to a selected bracket for the installation or removal ofan electronic device, the locking mechanism associated with that bracketin front of that selected bracket is operated to enable those bracketsin front of the selected bracket to pivot away from the selected bracketto provide access. For example and with reference to FIG. 13, if thelocking pin 78 of the locking mechanism of the front 1 U dual bracket 62is pulled into the unlocked position, this allows the 1 U dual bracket62 to be folded or swung outwardly about the pivot axis indicatedgenerally by G of its associated hinging component thereby allowingaccess to the first of the 1 U single brackets 64. Once theinstallation, removal or maintenance of an already installed electronicdevice is complete, the brackets in front of the selected bracket may bemoved back into a substantially abutting relationship with the selectedbracket and may then be locked securely to prevent movement.

It will be appreciated that the locking mechanisms for each bracket maybe manipulated to separate the brackets or groups of adjacent bracketsin various ways, with the extreme case being the fanned-out arrangementshown in FIG. 11 in which none of the brackets are locked together.

Referring to FIGS. 20 and 21, partial and fully exploded views of thecomponents of the preferred embodiment storage unit 10 are shown in moredetail by way of example only. It will be appreciated that thecomponents may be formed from plastic, metal, aluminum or any othersuitable material and any combination of such materials. Further, itwill be appreciated that the components shown in FIGS. 20 and 21 arejust one possible construction of the storage unit and that thecomponents may be altered or formed in various other ways depending onthe design requirements.

As previously mentioned, the storage unit 10 may be mountable to a wallor the like in the vertical orientation shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B. Itwill be appreciated that the storage unit may alternatively be stored onthe ground or floor or on a shelf or in a cupboard if desired with thebase plate 11 resting on the floor, ground or other horizontal surface.

Referring to FIGS. 22-25 two mounting accessories and assemblies for thestorage unit are shown. Referring to FIGS. 22 and 23, the storage unit10 is shown supported on wall-mount bracket 105. In operation, thewall-mount bracket 105 may be securely fixed to a wall or the like andthen the storage unit 10 may be releasably secured to the wall-mountbracket 105. In particular, the wall-mount bracket 105 is arranged toabut the base plate 11 of the housing of the storage unit 10 andsupports the storage unit 10 via hooks 107 that extend from the baseplate and which are securely engageable with complementary slots 109 ofthe wall-mount bracket 105. The hooks 107 of the storage unit 10 arevisible also in FIG. 1B.

Referring to FIGS. 24 and 25, the storage unit 10 is shown supported bya freestanding support frame 111 shown. By way of example, thefreestanding support frame 111 may comprise the wall-mount bracket 105described in respective FIGS. 22 and 23 and the storage unit 10 may bereleasably supported in a similar manner. The freestanding support frame111 is useful in situations where no load bearing walls or verticalsurfaces are available for the storage unit 10.

Referring to FIGS. 26 and 27, an example of manifold components 113 forconnecting air-conditioning ducting of an external air-conditioning unitto the upper 58 a and lower 58 b slots in the base plate 11 of thehousing are shown. Referring to FIG. 23, the wall-mount bracket 105 isprovided with complimentary slots 110 that are aligned with the upper 58a and lower 58 b slots of the base plate 11. As shown in FIGS. 26 and27, the manifold components 113 may be securely fixed to the back of thewall-mount bracket 105 such that they operatively connect to the upper58 a and lower 58 b slots of the base plate 11 via the complimentaryslots 110 of the wall-mount bracket 105.

Referring to FIGS. 28 and 29, an alternative embodiment mounting system120 for the storage unit is shown. This mounting system 120 may be usedin the storage unit as an alternative to the preferred embodimentmounting system 40 previously described. The overall functionality andoperation of the mounting system 120 is similar to mounting system 40but the main differences will be explained. The hinging components 121of the hinging assembly of the mounting system 120 are similar to thosedescribed in respect of the preferred embodiment mounting system 40 butthe form of the brackets 122 is modified. The first bracket is a 1 Udual bracket, the next three brackets are 1 U single brackets and thefifth bracket is a 2 U single bracket. These brackets are modular andeach comprise two rear end guides 124 that are arranged as sleeves thatsecurely and slidably engaged with one or more of the hingingcomponents. In particular, the four front 1 U brackets are each arrangedto securely engage with a single hinging component 121 of the hingingassembly. The 2 U bracket is larger and its rear end guides are largerand arranged to securely engage with two adjacent hinging components 121to effectively lock those two hinging components together as one hingingcomponent.

Each bracket 122 also comprises a front end guide 126 that comprises alocking mechanism for engaging with a like locking mechanism of anadjacent bracket. For example, each locking mechanism comprises avertically operable locking pin 128 that is arranged to engage into acomplimentary locking barrel 130 of an adjacent bracket to secure thebrackets together. The 1 U and 2 U single brackets are also providedwith device support bars 132. In the preferred embodiment, the devicesupport bar 132 is formed from a single rod that is shaped to form twoparallel rails that meet together to form a half-bent U-shaped end.Along the length of the device support bar 132 is also provided a numberof resilient cushioning components 134 upon or against which therack-mount electronic devices may rest. In the preferred form, theresilient cushioning components 134 may be looped members of resilientmaterial and the loops may also provide a guide for management of cablesthat are connected to the electronic devices. It will be appreciatedthat the alternative embodiment mounting system 120 may be arranged tocomprise any mix of different sized brackets. The integer U-size of thebracket corresponds to the number of adjacent hinging components 121that are required to support the bracket and which are locked togetheronce the bracket is installed. For the 1 U brackets, only a singlehinging component 121 is required.

In an alternative embodiment, the storage unit or assembly mayessentially comprise a mounting system alone without an associatedhousing for enclosing the mounting system. In such an embodiment, themounting system may be fixed directly to a vertical surface such as awall or may alternatively be fixed to a mounting plate, base plate orthe like than can in turn be stored on the floor or secured to a wall.Such a mounting system on its own could be utilised where environmentalcontrol is not imperative.

In summary, the storage unit is capable of housing a number ofrack-mount electronic devices of varying heights and sizes. The storageunit is arranged to be mounted to a wall or alternatively can be placedon the ground in an appropriate location within a room or the like. Thestorage unit is useful system for housing and mounting a number ofelectronic devices that form part of a system or alternatively a smallgroup of independent electronic devices that need to be stored in thesame vicinity. By way of example, the storage unit may be utilised tohouse small computer server systems or any other systems having arelatively small number of components. In particular, although notexclusively, the storage unit may be utilised in, for example, thetelecommunication, computing and entertainment industries, as well asothers.

The foregoing description of the invention includes preferred formsthereof. Modifications may be made thereto without departing from thescope of the invention as defined by the accompanying claims.

1. A rack-mount electronic device storage unit for storing rack-mountelectronic devices comprising: an openable housing; and a mountingsystem mounted within the housing for receiving and retaining one ormore rack-mount electronic devices, the mounting system comprising: ahinging assembly comprising a chain of two or more hinging componentsthat are interconnected for hinged movement relative to each other suchthat each pair of adjacent hinging components of the chain are pivotablycoupled about a respective common pivot axis for hinged movement aboutthat pivot axis; and a set of two or more modular brackets releasablysupported by the hinging assembly for hinged movement relative to eachother about respective pivot axes of the hinging assembly to enableaccess to each bracket, each bracket being configured and dimensioned toreleasably receive and retain one or more rack-mount electronic devicesvia slidable engagement of the devices into the bracket and each bracketcomprising an attachment part that is configured to releasably couplethe bracket to one or more adjacent hinging components of the hingingassembly to support the bracket on the hinging assembly.
 2. A rack-mountelectronic device storage unit according to claim 1 wherein the hingingassembly is arranged to support the brackets in a cantilevered fashionsuch that each bracket is hingedly movable between an abuttingrelationship with adjacent brackets and a non-abutting relationship withadjacent brackets in order to enable access to the bracket.
 3. Arack-mount electronic device storage unit according to claim 1 whereineach bracket is configured and dimensioned to receive and retain one ormore 19-inch rack-mount electronic devices of a particular U-size, andwherein each bracket is releasably coupled to either one or multipleadjacent hinging components of the hinging assembly, the number ofhinging components required to releasably couple to each bracket beingequal to the number in the U-size of the bracket.
 4. A rack-mountelectronic device storage unit according to claim 3 wherein largerbrackets that require multiple adjacent hinging components of thehinging assembly for support are arranged to couple those adjacenthinging components together to prevent them from hingedly movingrelative to each other such that they collectively form a larger hingingcomponent for the larger bracket.
 5. A rack-mount electronic devicestorage unit according to claim 1 wherein the brackets are supported bythe hinging assembly in a cantilever fashion.
 6. A rack-mount electronicdevice storage unit according to claim 1 wherein each bracket isprovided with an operable locking mechanism that is arranged tocooperate with a like locking mechanism of an adjacent bracket to lockthe brackets together to prevent hinged movement of those bracketsrelative to each other.
 7. A rack-mount electronic device storage unitaccording to claim 1 wherein the housing comprises one or more openabledoors for opening and closing the housing.
 8. A rack-mount electronicdevice storage unit according to claim 1 wherein the housing comprises abase plate and two opposed openable doors that are hingedly attached tothe base plate via hinging mechanisms at either end of the base plate.9. A rack-mount electronic device storage unit according to claim 8wherein the doors of the housing are hingedly attached such that theyare both movable between closed and open positions, such that when bothdoors are in the closed position the mounting system and any installedelectronic devices are enclosed within the housing and when both thedoors are in an open position the mounting system and any electronicdevices are exposed and accessible.
 10. A rack-mount electronic devicestorage unit according to claim 9 wherein the doors of the housing havean associated locking mechanism that is operable to lock the doors in aclosed position.
 11. A rack-mount electronic device storage unitaccording to claim 10 wherein the hinging assembly of the mountingsystem is fixed within the housing to the base plate of the housing. 12.A rack-mount electronic device storage unit according to claim 1 furthercomprising a temperature control system for controlling the temperaturewithin the housing.
 13. A rack-mount electronic device storage unitaccording to claim 12 wherein the temperature control system comprisesan integrated cooling system that comprises one or more operable fansthat are arranged to create ventilating air flows through the housingand associated vents of the housing.
 14. A rack-mount electronic devicestorage unit according to claim 12 wherein the temperature controlsystem comprises an external air conditioning system that is arranged toconnect to the housing to provide a flow of conditioned air to controlone or more environmental parameters or conditions within the internalenvironment of the housing.
 15. A rack-mount electronic device storageunit according to claim 12 wherein the temperature control systemcomprises monitoring sensors that are arranged to measure particularenvironmental parameters within the internal environment of the housing,the temperature control system being arranged to control the temperaturewithin the housing in response to the measured parameters.
 16. Arack-mount electronic device storage unit according to claim 1 whereinthe housing comprises a user interface that is arranged to communicatewith one or more of the electronic devices retained within the storageunit.
 17. A rack-mount electronic device storage unit according to claim1 wherein the housing is releasably securable to a wall-mount bracketthat is arranged to be fixed to a wall or other vertical surface orframe.
 18. A rack-mount electronic device storage unit according toclaim 1 wherein each bracket comprises a backing plate having a frontend guide and a rear end guide disposed on opposing edges of the backingplate and which are configured to slidably guide an electronic deviceinto a securely retained position against the backing plate.
 19. Arack-mount electronic device storage unit according to claim 18 whereinthe rear end guide of each bracket comprises the attachment part forreleasably coupling the bracket to the hinging components of the hingingassembly.
 20. A rack-mount electronic device storage unit according toclaim 19 wherein the attachment part of each bracket is configured toslidably engage with any of the hinging components of the hingingassembly to releasably couple the bracket to the hinging assembly.
 21. Arack-mount electronic device storage unit according to claim 1 whereineach hinging component is elongate and each pair of adjacent hingingcomponents of the chain of hinging components of the hinging assemblyare pivotably coupled by aligned complementary cylinders extending fromeach hinging component through which a common interlocking pivot rodextends to form the pivot axis for the pair of hinging components.
 22. Arack-mount electronic device storage unit according to claim 1 whereinall the brackets are the same size such that the storage unit receivesand retains rack-mount electronic devices of the same size.
 23. Arack-mount electronic device storage unit according to claim 1comprising at least two different sizes of brackets such that thestorage unit can receive and retain rack-mount electronic devices ofdifferent sizes.
 24. A rack-mount electronic device storage assembly forstoring rack-mount electronic devices comprising: a mounting system forreceiving and retaining one or more rack-mount electronic devices, themounting system comprising: a hinging assembly comprising a chain of twoor more adjacent hinging components that are interconnected for hingedmovement relative to each other such that each pair of adjacent hingingcomponents of the chain are pivotably coupled about a common pivot axisfor hinged movement about that pivot axis; and a set of two or moremodular brackets releasably supported by the hinging assembly for hingedmovement relative to each other about respective pivot axes of thehinging assembly to enable access to each bracket, each bracket beingconfigured and dimensioned to releasably receive and retain one or morerack-mount electronic devices via slidable engagement of the device(s)into the bracket and each bracket comprising an attachment part that isconfigured to releasably couple the bracket to one or more adjacenthinging components of the hinging assembly to support the bracket on thehinging assembly.
 25. A rack-mount electronic device storage assemblyaccording to claim 24 wherein the hinging assembly is arranged tosupport the brackets in a cantilevered fashion such that each bracket ishingedly movable between an abutting relationship with adjacent bracketsand a non-abutting relationship with adjacent brackets in order toenable access to the bracket.
 26. A rack-mount electronic device storageassembly according to claim 24 wherein each bracket is configured anddimensioned to receive and retain one or more 19-inch rack-mountelectronic devices of a particular U-size, and wherein each bracket isreleasably coupled to either one or multiple adjacent hinging componentsof the hinging assembly, the number of hinging components required toreleasably couple to each bracket being equal to the number in theU-size of the bracket.
 27. A rack-mount electronic device storageassembly according to claim 26 wherein larger brackets that requiremultiple adjacent hinging components of the hinging assembly for supportare arranged to couple those adjacent hinging components together toprevent them from hingedly moving relative to each other such that theycollectively form a larger hinging component for the larger bracket. 28.A rack-mount electronic device storage assembly according to claim 24wherein the brackets are supported by the hinging assembly in acantilever fashion.
 29. A rack-mount electronic device storage assemblyaccording to claim 24 wherein each bracket is provided with an operablelocking mechanism that is arranged to cooperate with a like lockingmechanism of an adjacent bracket to lock the brackets together toprevent hinged movement of those brackets relative to each other.
 30. Arack-mount electronic device storage assembly according to claim 24further comprising a mounting plate to which the mounting system isfixed.
 31. A rack-mount electronic device storage assembly according toclaim 24 wherein each bracket comprises a backing plate having a frontend guide and a rear end guide disposed on opposing edges of the backingplate and which are configured to slidably guide an electronic deviceinto a securely retained position against the backing plate.
 32. Arack-mount electronic device storage assembly according to claim 31wherein the rear end guide of each bracket comprises the attachment partfor releasably coupling the bracket to any of the hinging components ofthe hinging assembly.
 33. A rack-mount electronic device storageassembly according to claim 32 wherein the attachment part of eachbracket is configured to slidably engage with any of the hingingcomponents of the hinging assembly to releasably couple the bracket tothe hinging assembly.
 34. A rack-mount electronic device storageassembly according to claim 24 wherein each hinging component iselongate and each pair of adjacent hinging components of the chain ofhinging components of the hinging assembly are pivotably coupled byaligned complementary cylinders extending from each hinging componentthrough which a common interlocking pivot rod extends to form the pivotaxis for the pair of hinging components.
 35. A rack-mount electronicdevice storage assembly according to claim 24 wherein all the bracketsare the same size such that the storage assembly can receive and retainsrack-mount electronic devices of the same size.
 36. A rack-mountelectronic device storage assembly according to claim 24 comprising atleast two different sizes of brackets such that the storage assembly canreceive and retain rack-mount electronic devices of at least twodifferent sizes.